FINAL UPDATE FOR THISTLE CAVIES

We Reached Our Goal!
Sponsor a Guinea Pig has raised £235.11 or $324.14!

Thank you so much to everyone who has made this month so successful--
What a wonderful way to honor the loss of Yetti.
Though so much is beyond our control,
people are willing to make a difference about what is within our control.


And look at this adorable photo of Josh that Wendi, the director of Thistle Cavies sent me:

Yetti's memoriam post can be found here,
including some adorable photos of him as a baby.

A sad announcement

I am devastated to write to you with some very sad news. Yetti has passed away because of heart issues. I know that with fundraising for special needs pigs this would always be a risk, but I am just so forlorn about this loss. I think any condolences sent to Wendi's way would be much welcome-she is the director of Thistle Cavies where Yetti received such amazing care. Here are some photos of Yetti when he was just six months old.




For those wondering, Josh is coping really well, and the rescue is going to pair him with a friend right away so he doesn't suffer from depression.

Heart issues are incredibly common in pigs-some basic signs of a heart pig are belly pigs, lap pigs, hooters, frequent URIs, crusty eyes, lethargy, and pigs that are easy to pick up. I would really encourage any pig owner to read the following link: GUINEA LYNX-HEART ISSUES: for information about how to treat a pig with potential heart issues.

I'm so sorry to Josh, the rescue, and to all readers of the site for the loss. I know we all grow really attached to these little guys. I'm going to keep you updated with additional news, and please write sponsoraguineapig@gmail.com with any questions. At the moment I am only able to check my internet weekly, so I apologize for any delay in reply.

Edit: here are some more photos of Yetti from when he was a very young boy, with his brothers. Adorable from day one:

MARCH'S PIGS OF THE MONTH-Josh and Yetti!

Meet Josh and Yetti

from the Scottish Rescue

Thistle Cavies!

Josh and Yetti are just two of 15 special needs piggies at Thistle Cavies, and they are the best of buds. Josh is 6.5 years old and has been with the rescue for 3 and a half years. Yetti is a white rex who developed heart problems about 18 months ago, at the same as Josh, who had already suffered from a host of other medical problems.

We'd like to fundraise enough to pay for the expensive dental growth removal (£45.oo or $62.04), six weeks worth of medication: Fortekor (£22.50 or $31.02), Frusemide (£2.20 or $3.03), Rimadyl (£18.30 or $25.23) and Critical Care (£29.29 or $40.38), as well as two additional packages of Critical Care for the boys 2x(£29.29 or $40.38). This is for a total of £175.87 or ~$242.46, using an exchange rate of £1:$1.37864 as of 3/09/2009.

Please see donation links at bottom of entry!

Prior to his heart issues, Josh required extensive surgery for a jawbone abscess shortly after his arrival. An infection had eaten away part of his jawbone and part of his jaw had to be removed, as well as one of his bottom incisors. Despite the most meticulous of care the rescue feared they might lose Josh, and for two months his recovery seemed unsure. But eventually he started putting on weight, and never looked back!

Now his surgery site needs to be maintained with regular procedures, but Josh is the definition of a patient piggy. He is a calm sweetheart who loves being syringefed, despite his mouth issues. He is also a super cuddle piggy who just snuggles into you as soon as he's picked up.

Yetti is his best friend, and the two simply can't be separated. Yetti's heart issues make him a candidate for Sponsor a Guinea Pig alone, but with the close bond they have it's doubtful Yetti would let Josh go on without him anyway! We hope to help ease the financial burden of this small, home based rescue by fundraising for part of their care, just as the medications will be easing the physical burden on these small boys' dear hearts.

To donate in US dollars:

To donate in Sterling Pounds:

FINAL TOTAL FOR MADDIE

We've reached our goal in the second week!
And in total we raised $370 out of $230!

Thank you so much to everyone who made a difference in Maddie's life this month (whether by donating or passing the site along)-you've really warmed my heart, Maddie's mom's, and just happily astonished the folk over at All Creatures Rescue and Sanctuary.

It's wonderful seeing everyone pulling together and making a big difference for someone so small. Thank you.

FEBRUARY'S PIG OF THE MONTH-Maddie!

Meet Maddie

from the NC rescue

All Creatures Rescue and Sanctuary!

Maddie puts the special in special needs. She is an adorable, lovable guinea pig who has won hearts all over the internet. Not only is she just that cute, but she is a medically demanding type of pig known as a "lethal" pig. Maddie is a very characteristic lethal pig-she has small, deformed eyes (a condition called micropthalmia), she is blind, deaf, and has severe dental issues, including absent incisors, overgrowing teeth, and a malformed jaw.

Maddie requires monthly dental trims because of her special needs. These cost $70 ($50 for the trim, $20 for the anesthesia). We'd like to raise enough for two months of trims ($140), as well as pay for a three month supply of metacam ($30), a three month supply of critical care ($20), and a one month supply of veggies ($40)! In total we'd like to fundraise $230.

Maddie was surrendered to a Virginia shelter with no explanation by her owner. At the shelter Maddie was terrified, and ran around her cage crashing into the walls and her pigloo, screaming. She was completely panicked, and as her cage was on the shelter floor she was vulnerable to all of the action and vibrations of the building. She was rescued by an ACR&S volunteer, and Maddie became calmer immediately once in her car.

Maddie has received the best of care since being rescued-in the most literal sense of the word. Now Maddie is an incredibly sweet and friendly pig who enjoys being held and petted. She is the loudest wheeker of her herd, and brings a smile to faces as she begs shamelessly for treats. She tends to beg to the wall since she can't see where the veggies are. Although she has a heightened sense of smell, she is easily confused and often stands in the middle of her cage and wheeks as loud as she can until someone shows her where the food is-then she dives right in!

What is so sad about Maddie, and lethals, is that despite even the best of care they generally will have reduced lifespans because of their medical issues and genetic compositions. Unfortunately, lethals are a result are of accidental, ignorant, or dangerous breeding practices. Sadly many breeders continue these practices even knowing the medical disabilities they may inflict on a fraction of the litter.

Maddie with her Valentine, Wesley:

Guinea pigs are social animals, and so always do better in pairs, but lethals like Maddie have difficulty communicating with other guinea pigs (and vice versa). This complicated her foster mom Andrea's search for a friend for her. When Andrea finally found a potential buddy (after a long quest) there was one problem-he was a boy! Luckily All Creatures Rescue and Sanctuary has a cavy savvy vet experienced with neuters. Now Maddie is spending this Valentine's Day safe in her forever home surrounded by the ones she loves.

Or to avoid Pay Pal fees, send a check to:

ACR&S
PO Box 1231
Apex, NC 27502
(919) 249-7758